Multi-cooling housing for a multi-stage compressing system

ABSTRACT

A multi-cooler housing for compressing systems has a rectilinear box like structure having an inlet and a discharge outlet and means between said inlet and discharge outlet forming a plurality of complex cavities and flow channels or passages which provide cooling or conditioning loops for fluid introduced or lead from the associated compressing system to the various flow channels of the multi-cooler housing. The cooling or conditioning loops are characterized by the fact that they lie one within the other, so as to permit compressed air or gas to be passed through the multi-cooler housing a plurality of times. The cooling or conditioning loops are formed by a corresponding plurality of common walls in the housing so that the longest and outermost cooling or conditioning loop will receive compressed air at the lowest pressure and the innermost cooling or conditioning loop will receive compressed air at the highest pressure. Additionally, the structure of the multi-cooler housing disclosed may incorporate a lubricant sump and flow passages for lubricant used in the compressing systems, its gear train and accessories.

[4 1 Oct. 14, 1975 MULTl-COOLING HOUSING FOR A MULTI-STAGE COMPRESSINGSYSTEM Zoltan P. Nyeste, Grand Island, NY.

[73] Assignee: Worthington-Cei Incorporated,

West Springfield, Mass.

22 Filed: Jan. 11, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 432,658

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 245,578, April19, 1972, Pat.

{75] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl. 165/47; 165/111; 415/179; 62/93 [51] Int. Cl. F2411 3/00[58] Field of Search 415/179; 62/93; 165/47, 165/111 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,001,692 9/1961 Schierl 415/179 3,355,09611/1967 Hornschuch 415/179 3,476,485 11/1969 Kunderman 415/179 3,644,0542/1972 Pilarczyk 165/47 Primary ExaminerAlbert W. Davis, Jr. AssistantExaminer.lames D. Liles Attorney, Agent, or FirmDaniel H. Bobis [57]ABSTRACT A multi-cooler housing for compressing systems has arectilinear box like structure having an inlet and a discharge outletand means between said inlet and discharge outlet forming a plurality ofcomplex cavities and fiow channels or passages which provide cooling orconditioning loops for fluid introduced or lead from the associatedcompressing system to the various flow channels of the multi-coolerhousing. The cooling or conditioning loops are characterized by the factthat they lie one within the other, so as to permit compressed air orgas to be passed through the multicooler housing a plurality of times.The cooling or conditioning loops are formed by a correspondingplurality of common walls in the housing so that the longest andoutermost cooling or conditioning loop will receive compressed air atthe lowest pressure and the innermost cooling or conditioning loop willreceive compressed air at the highest pressure.

Additionally, the structure of the multi-cooler housing disclosed mayincorporate a lubricant sump and flow passages for lubricant used in thecompressing systems, its gear train and accessories.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures a laob 2'2 232 2205 l I90 201.. \L 32= m I4 v g 200? E 236 E 223 E zorc' '86 l I I 1 2z| Z' 231 2|9 j 4 21 230 i kz f 1 233 t 222 2 a zu 23 J I92 i I zzob 22 93 us. Patent 0ct.14,1975sheet 1 GM 3,912,000

FIG-.2.

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,912,000

FIG. 5

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,912,000

was

zzob

FIG. ID

MULTI-COOLING HOUSING FOR A MULTI-STAGE COMPRESSING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This application is a division of copending applicationSer. No. 245,578 filed Apr. I9, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,795.

In the copending application, the prior art of multistage compressionassemblies having a multi-cooler as the base for the compressor, itsdriver and speed increasing gear is set forth indicating that varioustypes of combined bases and multi-cooler housing assemblies are knownand indicated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,001,692

and 3,476,485.

In said copending application, a more compact and efficient multi-stagecompressor assembly and multicooler housing was disclosed and thepresent application more particularly relates to the improved base andmulti-cooler housing shown and described therein.

The multi-cooler housing of the present invention, when taken incombination with the compressor, gear train and accessories of thecopending parent application, Ser. No. 245,578 filed on Apr. 19, I972,permits achievement of the same results as prior art devices byproviding a single base for the associated equipment, forming a completeassembly which is smaller, lighter and more compact.

The compact arrangement of the present invention eliminates the need fora special foundation. Further, since all normally required componentsand accessories are incorporated into the one unit or package, only thesimplest of air, water and electrical connections are made after theunit is deposited at the site where it will be used.

Thus, the present invention meets and overcomes the problems of theprior art coolers supporting centrifugal compressors by permitting thecompressor, its gear train and the associated driving means to bemounted on an improved multi-cooler housing which coacts with thecompressor to provide for the compression system the advantages ofintercooling between the stages of compression, the end conditioning ofthe compressed air or gas before it is delivered to use and the coolingof the lubricant used in the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention covers a multi-coolertype heat exchanger which includes, a housing having a plurality ofinlets and outlets, said housing having means forming a plurality ofheat exchange loops, and at least one heat exchange means in each ofsaid heat exchange loops, each of said heat exchange loops communicatingwith a given one of said inlets and a given one of said outlets, andsaid meansforming the plurality of heat exchange loops disposed so thatthe heat exchange loops lie substantially one within the other.

Additionally, the multi-cooler type heat exchanger as above describedhaving at least one inlet for lubricant, sump means for collecting saidlubricant, and heat exchange means associated with said sump for coolingsaid collectedlubricant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amulti-cooler housing with a plurality of heat exchange loops disposedone within the other.

It is another object to provide a multi-cooler housing with a pluralityof heat exchange loops disposed one within the other which permitssaving in cost of manufacture, material and weight and is more compactin size.

It is'another object to provide a multi-cooler housing with a pluralityof heat exchange loops which lie one within the other which includes, alubricant sump and cooler means. 1

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood by references to one of the preferred forms as hereinafterdescribed and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view showing the inlet end of a compressionsystem assembly incorporating a multi-cooler housing in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view from the driver end of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the multi-cooler housing partlybroken away to show the first stage intercooler section.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the multi-cooler housing shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the multi-cooler housing shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the multi-cooler housing shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the multicooler'housing shownin FIG. 3 partly broken away to show the first stage inter coolerpassage from the multistage compressor to the multi-cooler and thesecond stage return passage from the multi-cooler housing to themulti-stage compressor.

FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the multicooler housing shownin FIG. 3 partly broken away to show the first stage inter-coolerpassage from the multistage compressor to the multi-cooler housing, thesecond stage return passage from the multi-cooler housing to themulti-stage compressor, the third stage inlet passage from themulti-stage compressor to the multicooler and the discharge outlet forthe assembly.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken on line 10--l0 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a vertical section taken on line ll1l of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken on line 1212 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal section taken on line l3--l3 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, one preferred form ot the multi-cooler housing in accordancewith the present invention, generally designated 7 is shown supporting amulti-stage in-line centrifugal compressor generally designated 1connected through a compound epicyclic gear train section generallydesignated 2 to a suitable driving means enclosed in a substantiallysound-proof housing 5, all of which are described in copending U.S.application Ser. No. 257,578 filed on Apr. 19, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No.3,802,795.

The compressor 1 receives its air or other gas to be compressed throughan inlet, f lter and noise suppressor assembly generally designated 6and shown in more detail in U.S. Pat.No. 3,736,074. The air or other gasto be compressed will be passed from the compressor to the multi-coolerhousing 7. The air or gas in the compressor passes through a pluralityof compression stagesin the compressor and through a plurality ofintercoolers and finally an end'cooler in the multi-cooler housing allof which is more fully described hereinafter, and from the multi-cooleris discharged through a discharge line 8 which is provided with a checkvalve 9, to any desired use. I

Compressor 1, its associated compound epicyclic gearing and drivingmeans connected at one end and the inlet, filter and noise suppressorassembly 6 connected to the other end are respectively mounted on top ofthe multi-cooler housing 7.

Thus, multi-cooler housing 7 serves both as a base for the compositeassembly and includes means specially arranged to coact with thecompressor for interstage cooling of the air or gases compressed fromstage to stage in the compressor and for the conditioning of the air orgas being delivered from the compressor. It includes cooling means forthe lubricant which feeds the bearings and the epicyclic gearing for thecompressor as will now be described.

MULTI-COOLER HOUSING Multi-cooler housing 7 is shown in detail at FIGS.3 to 13 of the drawings as a generally elongated rectilinear box-likestructure which in cross-section is substantially square. Housing 7includes a top 181, a bottom 182, sides 183 and 184, front end 185 andback end While'multi-coolers of various types are known in the prior artsuch as is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,355,096 and the above mentioned US.Pat. Nos. 3,001,692 and 3,476,485, the design of the multi-coolerhousing of the present invention shown in one preferred application is acomplexsystem of cavities, channels and inlet and discharge openings incommunication therewith which permits compressed air or gas to be passedthrough the multi-cooler housing a plurality of times.

The basic concept of the design adapted for this complex system ofcavities, channels and flow openings into and out of the multi-coolerhousing 7 is to provide passages, cavities, or channels which formcooling or conditioning loops one inside of the other. The longest andoutermost cooling or conditioning loop receiving compressed air or gasat the lowest pressure and the smallest and innermost cooling orconditioning loop having and receiving the compressed air or gas at thehighest pressure.

Thus, air or gas discharged from the first compression stage will passthrough a low pressure cooling loop to the second compression stageinlet. The same air or gas will be discharged at a higher pressure fromthe second compression stage into an intermediate pressure cooling loopand passed through the intermediate pressure cooling loop to the thirdcompression stage inlet.

The intermediate pressure loop will be disposed inside the lowerpressure loop. Finally, the sameair or gas will be discharged at thehighest system pressure from the third compression stage outlet into thehigh pressure cooling loop where it passes to the discharge outlet forthe system. The high pressure loop once again lies within theintermediate pressure loop, all of which will appear clear from theFIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings.

Thus, the air and gas transport openings 180a, 180b, 1800, 180d and 180ain the boss 158 of the multi-cooler housing provide the flow passageinlets and outlets, for passing the air or gas being compressed in thecompressor to and from the multi-cooler housing 7 to permit interstagecooling of such air or gas between each stage of compression and for theend conditioning of the compressed air or gas. This is a known expedientwhich improves the efficiency of the multi-stage compressor and permitsadjustment of the temperature and/or specific humidity of the air or gasbeing delivered for use.

The relationship between the various cooling loops and the transportopenings a, 180b, 180a, 180d and 180e formed in the boss 158 is shown inFIGS. 6, 7, 8, l l l2 and 13 to include a plurality of convolutedpartitions which extend transversely of the longitudinal line of themulti-cooler 7 and are in fluid-tight connection on each side of therespective partitions with the adjacent inner wall of the respectiveside walls 183 and 184 of multi-cooler 7. The partitions at one or bothends commence at the boss 158 and act to define the transport openings180a, 180b 1806, 180d "and 180e and the lubricant transport opening180f.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 11, 12 and 13, the first partition is convoluteddesign is disposed to extend from the boss 158 on the top wall 181 tothe bottom wall 182 and is connected at its edges to the side walls 183and 184. It defines with the top wall, a connecting passage 191 whichcommunicates with the lubricant transport opening 180f at one end and atthe end remote therefrom with a cavity 192 which forms a lubricant sumpas at 193.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 further show that lubricant from the multi-stagecompressor 1 enters transport opening 180f passes through the connectingpassage 191 into the cavity 192 and is collected in the sump 193. Themain pump 124 driven by the driving means (not shown) is connected tothe sump 193 and draws lubricant therefrom. This lubricant is thenpumped through the oil cooler 126 and filter 127 and flows by suitableconduits and passages to the bearings (not shown) and the epicyclic geartrain generally designated 2 as is shown and described in more detail insaid copending U.S. application Ser. No. 245,578.

A second convoluted partition 200 is connected at its respective ends inthe boss 158 to define the transport openings 180a and 180d and at therespective edges to the side walls 183 and 184. It is disposed relativetop 181, bottom 182, end wall 186 and the first partition 190 to formthe low pressure cooling loop generally designated 201. The low pressureloop 201 communicates at one end with the transport-opening 180a and atthe end remote therefrom with the transport opening 180b. Thus, air orgas compressed in the first stage of compression and discharged from thecompressor, will pass through the transport opening in the base of thecompressorin alignment with the transport opening 180a in the boss 158on the multi-cooler 7 into the low pressure cooling loop 201 as will beclear by reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Disposed in the low pressure cooling loop is a heat exchange meansgenerally designated 202 which consists of conventional tube bundlesdiagrammatically indicated in FIG. 3 at 203. The tube bundles areconnected to a header 204. The header 204 is provided with an inlet pipe205 for passing cooling water to heat exchanger means 202 and an outletpipe 206 for returning cooling water from the heat exchange means thecommon return conduit 208 for returning the heated cooling water to thecourse, as also'shown'in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. l

Heat exchange means of the. type above described are well known andeasily, purchasable on the open' market, with therefor. be wellunderstood 'by those skilled inthe art and accordingly are not morefully de-" scribed. Further, all-the heat exchanger means is the variouscooling loops will have a similar construction to that above describedfor heat-exchange means 202. Accordingly, when heat-exchange means isreferred to in connecting with the intermediate pressure cooling loopandhigh pressure cooling loop it isintende'd to refer to heat exchangersof this type.

'In the multi-coole'r housing 7? each of the respective cooling loopswill be constructedand arranged to receivethe respective heat exchangemeans. Thus, in the low pressure cooling loop 201, a lowerbracket'member 210 connected respectively to-front wall l85'the sidewalls 183 and 184 and the partition 200, a spaced distance from thebottom wall 182 and forms a centrally disposed flow opening 21 1.Similarly, an upper bracket member2l2 with a centrally disposed flowopening is formeda spaced distance from the upperwall l81and the heatexchange means 202 can'be mounted in the space defined'between thesebrackets through the heat exchange mounting opening 214' and 215 in thesides' 184 and -l83respectively of the multi-cooler housing 7. Theopenings 214 and 215 are'provided with a mounting flange 216 and- 217about each of the openings. A corresponding mounting'flange 218 isprovided about the header 204v for connecting the heat exchange means202 in assembled position, all of which is shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 ofthe drawings.

In FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the low pressurejcooling loop 201 defined bythe partition 200 has an inlet section 201a in communication with thetransport opening 180a. The inlet section 201a receives the heatexchange means 202 as above described, the' loop 201 also has aconstricted or narrow section as at lb and an'expansion section as at2010.

Thus, compressed air or gas which first enters the low pressure coolingloop 201 through the communicating transport opening 180a flows downacross the heat exchange means 202 in the inlet section 201a-and will becooled. It then turns approximately 90 to pass through,

the narrow or constricted section 20lb and then it is turned against 90to pass upwardly through the expansion section 201C and exits from themulti-cooler housing 7 through the transport openirig 180b, for returnto the second stageof compression for the multi-stage.

compressor 1 as is described in said copending applica tion.

The effect of this system of chambers andchannels in the cooling loop201 is to provide an inertial type moisture separator for the compressedair flowing therethrough. However; it "'willbe understood that -awire-mesh type separator could cooling loop if required.

A third convoluted partition 2'19 e tends fro'rnthe be mounted in thePartition 219 is disposed in spaced relation tov the partition 200 andforms therewith an intermediate pressure-cooling loop 220 which isdisposed inwardly of and approximately concentric tothe low pressurecooling loop .201. p I y The intermediate pressure cooling loop 220 alsoincludes an inlet section as at 220a which defines a heat exchange space221' with lower support brackets 222 and upper" support brackets 223 forreceiving a heat exchange means not shown which is mounted transverselythrough the side wall as indicated by the openings 224 and 225. Openings224 and 225 are also provided with a composite mounting flange 226 and227 which is common to the next adjacent heat exchange openings 228 and229 in the high pressure cooling loop to be described below.

,The intermediate pressure cooling loop 220 has a constricted or narrowsection 22011 and an expansion section 2200 which has a'separator spaceat 230 if it is desired to mount a wire mesh separator in the flow pathas above described. The expansion section 220C communicates with andpassesthe compressed air or gas out of the intermediate pressure coolingloop through transport opening 180d for return to the third stage ofcompression in said multi stage centrifugal compressor 1 as is describedin said copending application.

Once again the'effect of the system of chambers and channels which turnand expand the compressed air or gas as it is cooled during movementthrough the interrne diate pressure cooling l'oop 220 also providesinertial separation for moisture in the'moving air.

FlGS. 8, 11, 12 and 13 showa fourth ll-shap'ed partition 231 connectedacross the third partition 219 to define therewith'high pressurecoolingloop' '23 2 which lies within and substantialconcentricjto theintermediate pressure cooling loop 220. The high pressure cool- I ingloop 232 has an inlet section 232a which communicates with the transportopening l80e.Formed between the partition 231 and 239 to define a hea'texchange space are the lower bracket means 233 and upper shouldenmeans'234 which have flow opening therethrough asat 235 in the lower bracketmeans and 236 in the upper shoulder medn'see that a heat exchange meansnot Shown "ca"n be'mounted therein through the openings228g'an'd 229'inthe sides 183 and 184 respectively of the mum-cooler housing 7.

The inlet section 232a communicates with the naris connected in thetop18-1 at the boss 188 on the multi-cooler housing 7.

Air or. gas compressed in the third stage of compression of themulti-stage compressor 1 will enter the multi-cooler housing 7 throughthe transport opening 180a into the high'pressure cooling loop 232. Inthe high pressure cooling loop 232, it will be conditioned as it passedover 't he end conditioning heat exchange means not shown in the inletsection 232a and then will be passed through'thenarrow section 232b, theexpansion section 232b -and exit from the high pressure cool- "ing loop232 through thedischarge outlet or pipe 8 to use.

In the above description, a,. multi-cooler housing of a partieularconstruction and design has been disclosed for operative coaction with amulti-stage in-line centrifother parts to be made of cast iron whichhelps'to silence or reduce noise transmission between the elements andin and by the multi-stage compression system as a whole.

In particular, in the multi-cooler housing 7 the transverse heatexchange receiving openings are shown as disposed perpendicular to thelongitudinal line of the housing so that in the casting of thisintricate and complex combination of channels and cavities the coreboxes are easily removable to provide the desired cores in the casting.

In addition to serving as a base or support for the compressor, itsdriving means and the accessory equipment the multi-cooler housing 7 asabove described provides other advantages.

' First, it provides an ideal arrangment of pressurized passages andcavities to form the cooling loops for a multi-stage compressing systemof the type disclosed in said copending application in that compressedair at its lowest pressure is in the outermost cooling loop and theinnermost and shortest cooling loop is exposed to compressed air at itshighest system pressure. The advantage of this arrangement is that thepartitions which segregate the respective loops can be relatively thinbecause they are never subjected to the pressure acting in the coolingloops but only to the difference in pressure between the pressures inthe respective cooling loops on opposite sides of any given partition.

Second, the distribution of the compressed air or gas as it approachesthe face of each heat exchange means in a given cooling loop issubstantially uniform across the entire face of the heat exchange meansand thus the arrangement is able to meet the required conditions forproper interstage cooling and end conditioning of the compressed air orgas.

Third, the design is sufficiently flexible to permit the inclusion ofother components for example moisture ,separatorsand it provides asection which is used as an 'ponents may be substituted for thosedescribed and of course the multi-stage housing is also adaptable toother complex cooling or heating systems requiring multiple cooling orheating stages all within the invention as defined by the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a multi-cooler for compressed air or gas,

a. a heat exchange housing comprising, a box-like member having aplurality of inlets and outlets for passing compressed air or gas intoand out of the heat exchange housing,

b. said box-like member having a plurality of heat exchange loops and atleast one exchange means in each of said heat exchange loops,

0. each of said plurality of heat exchange loops communicating with oneof the inlets at one end and one of the outlets at the opposite,

-d.-.said plurality of heat exchange loops disposed substantially onewithin the other. 2. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein theplurality of heat exchange loops are disposed so that compressed air orgas at the lowest pressure flows .through the outer of said heatexchange loops and the compressed air or gas at the highest pressureflows through the inner of the said heat exchange loops.

3. In a mult'i-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat exchangemeans in each of the plurality of heat exchange loops is transverse tothe longitudinal line of the multi-cooler housing.

4. In a multi-cooler-as claimed in claim 1 wherein the innermost of theplurality of heat exchange loops includes, a discharge outlet for thecompressing system.

5. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein a. at least oneseparator supporting means is formed in said housing and is disposed foroperative coaction in one of the plurality of heat exchange loops and aseparator to be mounted in said separator supporting means.

6. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein,

a. the heat exchange housing has an inlet for lubricant to be cooled,

b. said heat exchange housing having, a sump means,

and a connecting passage means at one end connected to the inlet forlubricant and the other end connected with the sump means.

7. In a multi-cooler for compressing air or gas,

a. a heat exchange housing comprising, a box-like member having a top, abottom, a left side, a right side, a front end and a back end,

b. means in said top forming a plurality of inlets and outlets forpassing compressed air or gas into and out of the heat exchange housing,

c. a first partition disposed in spaced relation to said top and atleast one end and connected in fluid tight engagement'with said rightside and left side to delineate a first heat exchange loop having a heatexchange means therein,

d. said first heat exchange loop connected to one of the inlets toreceive compressedair or gas at relatively low pressure and connected atthe opposite end to an outlet for passing the treated compressed air orgas from the heat exchange housing,

e. at least one other partition disposed in spaced relation to saidfirst partition and connected in fluid tight engagement with said rightside and left side to form at least one other heat exchange loop havinga heat exchange means therein substantially concentric to and inwardlyof the first heat exchange loop,

f. said other heat exchange loop connected to another of the inlets toreceive compressed air or gas at a higher pressure than said first heatexchange loop and connected at the opposite end to another of theoutlets for passing the treated compressed air and gas from the heatexchange housing.

8. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first partitionand said other partition are connected at their respective ends to thetop of the box-like member and are spaced so as to provide theassociated one of said inlets and the associated one of said outlets.

of the longitudinal line of the multi-cooler housing,

b. and means are formed between the first partition and said otherpartition to support second heat exchange means in said other heatexchange loop transversely of the longitudinal line of the heat exchangehousing and parallel to said first heat exchange means.

10. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein,

a. the heat exchange housing has an inlet for lubricant to be cooled,

b. the heat exchange housing having, a sump means,

and connecting passage means connected at one end to the inlet forlubricant and at the opposite end to the sump means.

11. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first partitionand said other partition are convoluted to provide a plurality ofcavities and channels designed to also provide inertial type separationof moisture from compressed air or gas flowing therethrough.

12. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein,

a. said heat exchange housing has at least two other b. at least oneheat exchange means connected in said heat exchange housing and disposedin each of said respective heat exchange loops,

c. said other heat exchange loops disposed to receive compressed air orgas at pressures higher than delivered to the first heat exchange loop,

d. and a discharge outlet formed in said multi-cooler housing fordischarging compressed air or gas connected to the innermost of theconcentric other heat exchange loops.

1. In a multi-cooler for compressed air or gas, a. a heat exchangehousing comprising, a box-like member having a plurality of inlets andoutlets for passing compressed air or gas into and out of the heatexchange housing, b. said box-like member having a plurality of heatexchange loops and at least one exchange means in each of said heatexchange loops, c. each of said plurality of heat exchange loopscommunicating with one of the inlets at one end and one of the outletsat the opposite, d. said plurality of heat exchange loops disposedsubstantially one within the other.
 2. In a multi-cooler as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the plurality of heat exchange loops are disposed sothat compressed air or gas at the lowest pressure flows through theouter of said heat exchange loops and the compressed air or gas at thehighest pressure flows through the inner of the said heat exchangeloops.
 3. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heatexchange means in each of the plurality of heat exchange loops istransverse to the longitudinal line of the multi-cooler housing.
 4. In amulti-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the innermost of theplurality of heat exchange loops includes, a discharge outlet for thecompressing system.
 5. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 whereina. at least one separator supporting means is formed in said housing andis disposed for operative coaction in one of the plurality of heatexchange loops and a separator to be mounted in said separatorsupporting means.
 6. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a.the heat exchange housing has an inlet for lubricant to be cooled, b.said heat exchange housing having, a sump means, and a connectingpassage means at one end connected to the inlet for lubricant and theother end connected with the sump means.
 7. In a multi-cooler forcompressing air or gas, a. a heat exchange housing comprising, abox-like member having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, afront end and a back end, b. means in said top forming a plurality ofinlets and outlets for passing compressed air or gas into and out of theheat exchange housing, c. a first partition disposed in spaced relationto said top and at least one end and connected in fluid tight engagementwith said right side and left side to delineate a first heat exchangeloop having a heat exchange means therein, d. said first heat exchangeloop connected to one of the inlets to receive compressed air or gas atrelatively low pressure and connected at the opposite end to an outletfor passing the treated compressed air or gas from the heat exchangehousing, e. at least one other partition disposed in spaced relation tosaid first partition and connected in fluid tight engagement with saidright side and left side to form at least one other heat exchange loophaving a heat exchange means therein substantially concentric to andinwardly of the first heat exchange loop, f. said other heat exchangeloop connected to another of the inlets to receive compressed air or gasat a higher pressure than said first heat exchange loop and connected atthe opposite end to another of the outlets for passing the treatedcompreSsed air and gas from the heat exchange housing.
 8. In amulti-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first partition and saidother partition are connected at their respective ends to the top of thebox-like member and are spaced so as to provide the associated one ofsaid inlets and the associated one of said outlets.
 9. In a multi-cooleras claimed in claim 7 wherein, a. means are formed between the housingand said first partition to support the first heat exchange means insaid first heat exchange loop transversely of the longitudinal line ofthe multi-cooler housing, b. and means are formed between the firstpartition and said other partition to support second heat exchange meansin said other heat exchange loop transversely of the longitudinal lineof the heat exchange housing and parallel to said first heat exchangemeans.
 10. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein, a. the heatexchange housing has an inlet for lubricant to be cooled, b. the heatexchange housing having, a sump means, and connecting passage meansconnected at one end to the inlet for lubricant and at the opposite endto the sump means.
 11. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 whereinthe first partition and said other partition are convoluted to provide aplurality of cavities and channels designed to also provide inertialtype separation of moisture from compressed air or gas flowingtherethrough.
 12. In a multi-cooler as claimed in claim 7 wherein, a.said heat exchange housing has at least two other partitions inoperative association with the first partition and disposed concentricto the first partition in said heat exchange housing and to each otherto form at least two other heat exchange loops in the heat exchangehousing also concentric to the first heat exchange loop therein and toeach other, b. at least one heat exchange means connected in said heatexchange housing and disposed in each of said respective heat exchangeloops, c. said other heat exchange loops disposed to receive compressedair or gas at pressures higher than delivered to the first heat exchangeloop, d. and a discharge outlet formed in said multi-cooler housing fordischarging compressed air or gas connected to the innermost of theconcentric other heat exchange loops.